Apparatus for applying and sealing gummed tape



Nom 2s, 1944.

F. w. HuMP-HNER APPARATUS FOR APPLYING AND SEALING GUMMED TAPE l FiledDec. 15, 1941 ,2 sheets-sneer 1 1 N All APPARATUS FOR APPLYING-ANDSEALING GUMMED TAPE Filed D ec. l5 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 `i/7////// y@('64 k P., (5a f4 5 i9' Panarea Neazs. 1944 ArrAaA'rUs Fon APrLrrNG ANDGummi TAPE SEALTNG Ferdinandl W. vHumphner, River Forest, Ill., as-

sllnor to Mid-States Gummed Paper cago, Ill., a corporation of DelawareCo., Chi- Application December 15, 1941, Serial No. 423,051,-

(C1. sst-s) 4Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for applying and sealing gummed tapeand more particularly to apparatus for applying gummed tape to cartonsand the like and for water-proong the tape on the carton.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus for forming hingesand the like for paper cartons of gummed tape or gummed paper and toseal the joints against moisture and humidity. Another object is toprovide apparatus for applying gummed tape to cartons and for applying awater-proof material to the tape on the carton. Still another object isto provide automatic ymechanism for applying and sealing gummed tape oncartons and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide mechanism for spraying awater-proof material on a gummed tape joint on cartons and the like. Yetanother object is to provide for the applying of gummed tape to vasurface and the spraying of a water-proof material on'the gummed tapeafter it is applied, the entire operation being carried out as thesurface to which the tape is applied is passed through a machine on aconveyer mechanism. A further object is to provide in a tape-applyingmachine, mechanism Ifor synchronizing the tape-applying means with meansfor spraying a water-proof material on the Vapplied tape.

Other features and advantages will appear from the followingspecification and drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View ofan apparatus embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevational viewof the spraying mechanism; Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the samemechanism; Fig. 4 is a diagram of the electrical circuit used with theapparatus; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevationshowing the main portion of the tape-applying mechanism; Fig. 6 is afragmentary perspective view partly broken away showing the feed rollerfor the tape applying mechanism; Fig. 'l is a fragmentary View inelevation showing a modified mechanism for synchronizing the tapeapplying machinev with the spraying machine; Fig. 8 is a perspectiveview of a collapsed carton having a strip of tape applied thereto; andFig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a modifiedactuating means for synchronizing the tape applying machine with thespraying machine.

In the use of gummed tape and gummed paper for sealing and forminghinges for paper and cardboard cartons and the like, the accessibilityof the goods within the carton to moisture and atmospheric humiditypresents a serious problem. The steps of a method of forming a gmmedtape hinge or seal on a carton which is resistant to moisture andhumidity as well as the product formed by the method are set forth andclamedin my co-pending application, Se-

rial No. 418,398, led November 8, 1941 for Water resistant gummed paperproduct and method of forming the same.

The present invention relates to apparatus for applying the gummed tapeto the carton and for Waterproofing the tape joints, the -entireoperation being continuous and automatic.

In the embodiment of the invention described herein and referringparticularly to Fig. l, a tape-applying machine A is associated withmechanism 'B for spraying a water-proof material on the applied tape. l

`'I'he tape-applying machine A includes a base II) which supports thewallsII and I2 in which the rotatable shafts I3 and I4 are mounted.Conveyor belts I5 and I6 pass about the shafts I4 and I3 respectivelyand are supported at thel opposite end of the machine on shafts I'I andI8. Standards I9 are provided to support the conveyer.

Cartons may be fed from the platformvZIl through the tape-applyingmachine to the spraying mechanism B. Control rods 2| extend from themain portion of the tape applying machine tothe end thereof adjacent thespraying mechanism B and are arranged to be handled by an operator whomay stand at this end of the machine.

As seen particularly in Fig. 5, the tape-applying machine includes ahousing 22 and a web 23 of gummed tape or gummed paper, a constant feedroller 24 for advancing the tape' from the web 23, idling rollers 25 and26 and a guide channel 21 for feeding the tape into the applyingmechanism proper. A moistening roller 28 is disposed within a water bath29 and arranged to moisten the gummed surface of the tape as it passesthe roller.

'I'he main drive'shaft 30 is provided `with a cam 3| having a recess 52on the periphery thereof. An arm 33 is eccentrically mounted on the cam3|, being secured to the cam by the pin 34.

'Ihe armw33 may be provided with an elongatedA when the drive shaft 30and the cam 3| vcarried thereby are rotated.

may be of any suitable type and, as shown, in-

cludes a central member 44 which is equipped with a plurality ofperipheral grooves 45 and with rollers 46 connected to one face of eachgroove by springs 41. About the central member 44 is an annular band orcollar 48 which carries an annular rubber roller 49.

With this clutch construction, the shaft 42 is permitted to move freelyin a clockwise direction Without moving the collar 48 and roller 49,while movement of the shaft 42 in a counter-clockwise direction producesrotation of the collar 48 and roller 49.

The roller 49 is adapted to engage the strip of tape 50 which is beingfed through the machine and idling roller 5| engages the opposite sideof the tape which passes through the guide channel 52.

As the shaftV 30 is rotated by any suitable power means, the arm 33reciprocatesl and causes the rack 4D to move back and forth in areciprocating motion, rotating the gear 4| and shaft 42. The shaft 42 isalternately rotated in opposite directions and, when moved in acounter-clockwise direction, produces rotation of the roller 49. Theroller 49 thus serves as a ratchet feed roller which engages the stripof tape 50 4and feeds it forwardly in the machine.

o The standard 38 also supports a lever 53 which carries a roller 54adapted to be received in the 1recess52 of the cam 3|. The lever 53 ispivotallly mounted on the standard 38 as a fulcrum and is equipped at'one end with a spring 55 which continuously urges the end of the leverdownwardly and at the other end with a depending rod 56 which carries atits end a knife blade 51. The knife blade 51 is adapted to cooperatewith a cutting surface/58 to sever the strip of tape which passes thesame.

When the roller 54 is received within the recesses 32 of the cam 3|, thelever 53 and the dependingr'od 56 are lowered to bring the knife blade51I into engagement with the strip of tape and sever the same.

The arm 33 is also equipped with a contact pin 59 which is arranged toengage the contact 69 of the switch 6I to close the electrical circuitof the switch with each downward movement of the arm 33. A small spring62 continuously urges the arm downwardly to eliminate any lost motiontherein.

In the tape-applying machine, the web of gummed tape is drawn from thehousing 22 by the constant feed roller 24 and passes along the idlingrollers 25 and 26 and through the guide channel 21 and then -intoengagement with the moistening roller 28. The tape as drawn from thehousing 22 will form a slack loop 63 from the arm 33 is equipped whichthe tape may be drawn by the ratchet feed roller 49.

. After the tape has been moistened by the moistening roller 28, it isfed forwardly at spaced intervals by the ratchet feed roller 49 andpasses As each "strip of through the guide channel 52. tape ofpredetermined length passes through the guide channel 52, the knifeblade 51 is brought into engagement with 'the tape to sever the same.r

Cartons or ,boxes 64, in collapsed condition, are carried through themachine by a conventional conveyer with the cartons being spaced atpredetermined tances along the conveyer. Each carton is in engagementwith a lug 65 which urges it through the machine. As the carton reachesa position adjacent the feed mechanism, it is passed between the shaftsI3 and |4 and the endless conveyer belts I5 and I6 carried thereby. Atthe same time, a strip of tape 66 which has been fed forwardly by theratchet feed roller is passed between the conveyer belts l5 and.|6 inengagement with the upper surface of the carton. The moist tape is thusapplied to the carton and after a predetermined portion of the tape hasbeen so applied, the knife blade 51 severs the piece of tape. Springguide lugs 61 in engagement with the upper conveyer belt I6 maintain thesame in engagement with the carton and the tape 1 thereon.

The spray mechanism B for applying a waterproof material to the tape onthe carton includes a hood 68 of conventional construction havingtherein a suitable motor 69 for operating the same. The hood 68 may besupported in any suitable manner and may, in turn, serve as a supportfor the spraying device. The spraying equipment includes a pair ofnozzles 10 and 1| connected by conduits 12 and 13 to an air inlet 14which, in turn, is provided with a solenoid controlled valve 15. Air orother gaseous medium under pressure may be obtained through a main airinlet 16 and passed through a regulator 11 to the solenoid valve 15 andthe inlet 14.

From the pressure regulator, air may also be passed through the conduit18 to a tank 19 of a suitable water-proof liquid. Another conduit 89aleads from the tank 19 to inlets 80 and 8| to the nozzles 10 and 1|.Suitable valves may be inserted in the various conduits for controllingthe flow of fluid therethrough.

As seen from the circuit diagram shown in Fig.

'4,' the solenoid 82 of the valve 15 may he controlled by the openingand closing of the switch 6| in the tape-applying machine, the solenoidbeing equipped with the switch by any suitable electrical connections 83through a source of current 84.

Preferably, the operation of the solenoid 82 is synchronized with theoperation of the tape-applying machine so that the switch 6| is closedat the appropriate time to operate the spray nozzles only while the tapeis passingtherebeneath. The cartons are periodically spaced along theconveyer mechanism and an arrangement may readily be worked out wherebythe switch 6| is closed as the strip of tape 66 on the carton 64 isbrought into adjacent relation with the nozzles 10 and 1| The Switch slis maintained in closed position as The tank or container 19 of thewater-proof the tape 56. l

A- modified form of actuating means for the switch 6|, as shownparticularly in Fig'. 7, may be used to control the operation of thesolenoid valve 15. On the cam 3| may be mounted a plate 81 vwhichgisadapted to engage a roller 884 on the contact strip 89 of the switch 6|.The plate 81 engages the roller 88 and closes the switch'GI during aportion of the cycle of the rotation of the cam 3|. `During this periodthe circuit of the solenoid 82 is closed and the spraymechanism is inoperation. The position of the plate 81. on the cam .3| is so arrangedthat the plate81 first engages the roller 88 as the tape 68 on thecarton 64 is brought into adjacent relation with the spray nozzles and1|, thus synchronizing the operation of the tape applying machine andthe spraying mechanism. The plate 81 releases the roller 88 when the endof the tape 56 reaches the nozzles 10 and 1I.

Another modified :form of actuating means asA shown particularly in Fig.9 is based on a photoelectric cell construction. Adjacent the rollers I1ad I8 at the end of the conveyor mechanism a suitable photoelectn'c cellunit 90 may be sup` ported. The cell unit is preferably arrangedimmediately above the carton 84 which is carried iby the conveyormechanism and inl alignment with the slot 9| in the end thereof. A lamp92 is placed below the carton so that after the slotted portion of thecarton has passed, the body of the carton will intercept the beam fromthe lamp 92 to the cell 90. The beam will remain intercepted until thebody of the carton has passed the lamp and the slot 9| at the other endof .the carton is disposed between the lamp 92 and the cell 90.

dried on the tape in any suitable manner. -When the 'waterproof materialis applied along the edges of the tape, it will, upon` drying, serve toprotect the edges `of the adhesive layer of the tape. Ordinarily thetape which is used will con-V tain a waterproof material therein, forexample,v

as a binder for reinforcing fibers.` This 4waterproof material in thetape serves to protect the main body of the adhesive from moisture. andthe waterproof material which is applied -bythe spraying processmay needonly protect the edges of the adhesive layer.

Any suitable power means may be used toactuate'v the tape applyingmechanism, since tape applying mechanisms and conventional actuatingmeans therefor are well-known.' Such construe-- vtion will not be shownor described in detail herein. 4 Y

Although the invention has been described in connection with aparticular embodiment thereof and various details have been set forthfor the punpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent thatvarious changes and modifications may Ibe made in the apparatus asdescribed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1. Apparatus of the character described for,

A applying gummed tape to cartons and the like 'Ihe photoelectric cellmay be arranged in a circuit With the solenoid 15 so that the spraymechanism is rendered operative only while the beam from the lamp 92 isintercepted by the carton 64. A suitable shield 93 may be disposed aboutthe photoelectric cell to protect the same from thespraying mechanism.

In operation, the cartons are placed on the rear platform 20 of thetape-applying machine A. The cartons are fed forwardly through themachine at spaced intervals andas thecartons pass between the rollers I3`and I 4 and the endless conveyor belts I5 and I6 thereon, a strip oftape is fed forwardly between the conveyor belts and applied to thecarton. As soon as al predetermined length of tape has been fedforwardly, the knife blade 51 severs the strip of tape. In the:neanwhile, as the arm 33 is moved downwardly to feed the tape betweenthe conveyor belts I5 and I 6, the switch 6| is closed to set the spraymechanism in operation. The pin 59 is so adjusted in position withrespect to the arm 33 so as to be released from contact with the contactstrip 60 by the upward movement of the arm 33 at the time that the endof the strip 66 of tape passes the spray nozzles 10 and 1I The apparatusmay be used to spray a waterproof material such as varnish or lacqueralong and sealing the tape with a waterproof material, comprising meansfor applying gummed tape to acarton, means for spraying a waterproofmaterialron the exposed surface of said tarpe, valve means forcontrolling the operation of said spraying means, means for passing acarton with the gummed tape thereon alongsaid spraying means, and meansactuated by said tape applying means and synchronized therewith 'foropening said valve only when the tape is in :position adjacent saidspraying means.

2. -Apparatus of the character described for applying gummed tape tocartons and the like and sealing the tape with a waterproof material,comprising conveyor mechanism for advancing the cartons, means forapplying gummed tape to the cartons carried |by the conveyor, means forspraying a Waterproof liquid along the edges of the tape, valve meansfor controlling the operation of said spraying means, and means actuatedby said tape applying means and synchronized therewith forA opening saidvalve only when the tape is imposition adjacent said spraying means.

)3. Apparatus for applying gummed tape to cartons and the like andsealing the tape against moisture, comprising a conveyor mechanism foradvancing the cartons in predetermined spaced relation, means forapplying gummed tape to the cartons carried by said conveyor, means, forspraying a waterproof liquid on said tape on 'said cartons, valve meansfor controlling theoperation of said spraying means, and electricallyoperated means actuated by said tape applying means for opening andclosing said valve means,

said electrically operated means being so constructed as to open saidvalve means and. permit said spraying means to operate only when'A thetape on the carton is passing the spraying means.

4. In apparatus for applying gummed tape to cartons and the like and forsealing the tape against moisture, conveyor mechanism for advancingcartons in a predetermined spaced relation, a feed roller forfrictionally engaging the l said circuit for opening and closing thesame, a

solenoid insaid circuit for actuating said valve means, and contactmeans for opening and closing said switch, said means being soconstructed and arranged as to synchronize the movement of said arm andthe spaced relation of said car` tons with the spray mechanism wherebythe spray mechanism is in operation only when the tape on said cartonsis in adjacent relation to the spray mechanism.

\ FERDINAND W. HUMPHNER.

